Ideas

Thinking about doing something to help Mother Earth? Need help thinking of ideas? Listed below are ways to help the Planet:

• Turn off computers at night
• Clean or replace air filters on your air conditioning unit at least once a month.
• If you have central air conditioning, do not close vents in unused rooms.
• Lower the thermostat on your water heater to 120.
• Wrap your water heater in an insulated blanket.
• Turn down or shut off your water heater when you will be away for extended periods.
• Turn off unneeded lights even when leaving a room for a short time.
• Set your refrigerator temperature at 36 to 38 and your freezer at 0 to 5 .
• When using an oven, minimize door opening while it is in use; it reduces oven temperature by 25 to 30 every time you open the door.
• Clean the lint filter in your dryer after every load so that it uses less energy.
• Unplug seldom used appliances.
• Use a microwave when- ever you can instead of a conventional oven or stove.
• Wash clothes with warm or cold water instead of hot.
• Reverse your indoor ceiling fans for summer and winter operations as recommended.
• Turn off lights, computers and other appliances when not in use.
• Purchase appliances and office equipment with the Energy Star Label; old refridgerators, for example, use up to 50 more electricity than newer models.
• Only use electric appliances when you need them.
• Use compact fluorescent light bulbs to save money and energy.
• Keep your thermostat at 68 in winter and 78 in summer.
• Keep your thermostat higher in summer and lower in winter when you are away
• Insulate your home as best as you can.
• Install weather stripping around all doors and windows.
• Shut off electrical equipment in the evening when you leave work.
• Plant trees to shade your home.
• Replace old windows with energy efficient ones.
• Use cold water instead of warm or hot water when possible.
• Copy and print on both sides of paper.
• Reuse items like envelopes, folders and paper clips.
• Use e-mail instead of paper correspondence.
• Use recycled paper.
• Encourage your school and/or company to print documents with soy-based inks, which are less toxic.
• Use a ceramic coffee mug instead of a disposable cup.